This is Day 1 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge held in Nov 2011. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hi everyone! Welcome to Day 1 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge aka 21DJC!First off, I’m blown away by your enthusiasm for the challenge. Many of you jumped on board upon the opening for sign ups three days ago. Some of you have experience journaling in the past, while the rest of you do not journal but are keen to give it a shot. We now have an amazing 428 official, registered participants and it’s increasing as we speak!For the 428 of you who have registered, I want you to give yourself a pat on your back. Because you have put your name up for the challenge, you have sent out the intention to the universe that you want to grow. And trust me — it’s going to happen in this 21-day journaling challenge. As long as you commit yourself to journaling the assigned questions every day, you WILL grow — in your consciousness, in self-awareness, and in your connection with your inner self.
Seriously — what would you do? Would you save them in a bank? Would you use them to buy stocks? Would you share them with other people? Would you invest the money in your business? Would you give them away to charity? Would you quit what you’re doing and start a whole new life?What would you do with your million dollars?(Today’s question can be found in #45 of 101 Important Questions To Ask Yourself In Life.)
Hi everyone! Welcome to Day 1 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge aka 21DJC!First off, I’m blown away by your enthusiasm for the challenge. Many of you jumped on board upon the opening for sign ups three days ago. Some of you have experience journaling in the past, while the rest of you do not journal but are keen to give it a shot. We now have an amazing 428 official, registered participants and it’s increasing as we speak!For the 428 of you who have registered, I want you to give yourself a pat on your back. Because you have put your name up for the challenge, you have sent out the intention to the universe that you want to grow. And trust me — it’s going to happen in this 21-day journaling challenge. As long as you commit yourself to journaling the assigned questions every day, you WILL grow — in your consciousness, in self-awareness, and in your connection with your inner self.Read: 8 Tips To Excel in 21DJC
I’ve written a list of 8 Tips To Excel in 21DJC in the announcement post. Please make sure you read them and follow them to a tee to get the best out of the challenge.Please Use Proper English
Because this is a journaling challenge and there will likely be long passages of text, I require the cooperation of everyone to follow Tip #6 in particular — which is on using proper capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar in your answers.I noticed some registrants using chat speak when signing up (e.g. “i did all d thing wid ney email id”) and some registrants using full caps (e.g. “I LOVE THIS IDEA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CHALLENGE”). While it’s only a small handful of registrants, it’s enough to ruin the experience of the challenge for everyone.We’re doing this as a community, so let’s be considerate to everyone who will be reading our answers. Use capital letters if it’s the first letter of the sentence and small letters for the rest. Use proper English words that you’d find in a dictionary, not chat speak. Punctuate accordingly: use commas and semicolons where necessary and avoid run-on sentences. Do a quick scan to make sure your spelling is right before you post your answers. Let’s make this a positive experience for everyone taking part!(For participants who do not comply with #6, I’m afraid I’d have to remove your posts for the benefit of the community. I seek your understanding on this. Thank you!)With that said, let’s now move to our first question, shall we? ;)21DJC Day 1
Today’s question is a simple, age-old, yet powerful question:What Would You Do If You Have 1 Million Dollars?
Seriously — what would you do? Would you save them in a bank? Would you use them to buy stocks? Would you share them with other people? Would you invest the money in your business? Would you give them away to charity? Would you quit what you’re doing and start a whole new life?What would you do with your million dollars?(Today’s question can be found in #45 of 101 Important Questions To Ask Yourself In Life.)Your Task Today:
- Reflect and answer today’s question. Like I mentioned in Tip #4 of 8 Tips To Excel in 21DJC, there’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days.
(Images: Empty book for journaling, Money notes)
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If I had a million dollars…
I’d pay off my mortgage, finish out my contract, then I’d take my son Henry home and spend six months just letting him live in our house and play with his best friend next door and go to the local school.
And some weekends we’d fly up to visit my sister and my mum. Then I’d maybe rent out the house and head off with Henry on a big adventure. We’d go volunteer in the orphanage in India like we’ve been wanting to do, and we’d do a jungle trek in Nepal and ride elephants in Indonesia and ride horses across the deserts of Jordan. We’d go to South America and go to that Island where Henry is so sure that pirate’s treasure is hidden, then we’d take stock and slow down and figure out where we wanted to spend some serious time helping kids who need it.
But we’d stay flexible, keep moving, keep learning, keep open to the winds of chance. Follow our noses and the road but always make time for family.
Share it with my family and friends. Give to the poor an needy. Well,mostly my time here, as i would be free from work and have more time to give too others.
Really, re- reading that, that’s nonsense as i have plenty spare time now, and waste it.. so maybe a million pounds isn’t the answer, just better use of my time may be the answer .Ermm food for thought …
If I had a million dollars, I would like to use the money in the follwing ways:
1. Invest for a reasonable income for old age.
2. Start up a professional education and training centre.
3. Work for the education and betterment of rag-picking children of my country.
4. Work for creating awareness for women security – existing and unorn.
5. Adopt and raise a girl together with my other two.
6. Travel to every corner of the world.
I would celebrate right away with a fabulous meal, and then I would get some prudent things taken care of . I would pay off all debts, fix things that have been waiting too long to be fixed, designate seed money for some of the creative projects that have been living in my mind, start college funds. I would sure have some fun, too– travel all over the place! I would also throw a party and hire Hootie and the Blowfish to sing “If I Had a Million Dollars,” and I would buy everything in the song.
A tricky question and something I ultimately hope to become true someday.
The first thing I’m sure about is that those $1 million will rapidly become a “normal” thing and I will want to increase this sum further. It all relates to my need for growth. If I have $1 million, why should I stop here? This thinking applies for everything actually; not just money. I have reached a certain level (of knowledge, physical ability, comfort, wealth, etc.) but I want to continue increasing this level. It can be pretty exhausting sometimes but this is truly the engine behind all of my actions. And am I wrong if I say that since we are all reading a blog dedicated to grow ourselves, some of you guys will understand?
Ok so self-analysis apart, what would I really do with the money? I will invest it, pure and simple. I will seek a balanced investment portfolio that would probably comprise of properties (one that would live in obviously), treasury bonds, funds, few different currencies, commodities and my own business. I would definitely look at this opportunity to start my venture as I would have a starting sum (I would probably invest of my own money about $50,000). I would set up two extra funds: one for for my family and one for charity. The very idea here would really to keep the principal amounts of the different funds untouched and use the generated interest for actual use (annually for the charity, longer for a family fund). I will also use the extra money to probably indulge a bit in comfort (new clothes and home appliances) but nothing really too extravagant, as I’m not a keen fan of over-consumerism. Ho yes, and trips would also be a bit more comfortable :)
In conclusion, I would use those $1 million as a springboard, an incredible opportunity to accelerate my growth and to cater for my loved ones and society issues I am concerned with.
If I had a million dollars, I would throw a huge gathering for family and friends somewhere beautiful to celebrate with amazing food and music, and dance the night away. Making sure it’s a celebration to be remembered! Then I’d split the rest of the money between my siblings, parents, grandparents and myself to put towards our businesses and travelling plans!
For me the question is “What Would You Do If You Have 1 Million Dollars and the time to enjoy it?” I think I would take my daughter and wife for a trip to a place with no cell connection and try to connect with them. And start checking my bucket list of Rio Carnival, Burning Man, etc. And take a week off for myself and try to write, write, write the demons out of me ;-).
Hmm… what if I would have 1 Million Dollars ? First Thing I will do is to hide it somewhere where income tax department dont see it ;)
Jokes apart, if i have 1 million dollars then I would buy a house (not flat) for myself. Then I will reserve enough money for my world tour. I love to read and I am preparing list of “1001 Books to read before I die”, so I will make sure I will buy books those are currently in the list and of course reserve some money for upcoming entries in the list.
I will build a small garden which will be open for public use.
I always feel bad about people who have capacity and will to study further but just of matter of money they cannot go for further study, I know I can not open a trust of something like that using just a million dollars so I will take financial responsibility of some of those students who want to do something in life.
One more thing I want to do. My Hometown is pretty deserted area, not because nature made it so but excess of drilling made it deserted, I want to plant at least 10000 plants around my home city so it will be once again green again. :)
Of course I will send some of money for my leisures but I would try to minimize it.
Here pops up the answer in my mind to what I will do with 1 million that too dollars.
At first I will convert the dollars into our country currency. Gosh… that will be huge. Something that will make four families of high income class.
Good portion goes for charity. Something, that I always wanted to do as it gives me satisfaction that I was of some use to others. I have always thought of this: if I earn reasonable amount of income surely a part goes for various causes. Even if I don’t earn, a portion of whatever is saved will be given to needy. Deviating slightly from the topic; I think, we should give donations to those organisations where we can track the improvements from our aid also it is better to give for different causes instead of giving a lump sum amount for single institution which might not use it appropriately.
I may even have to pay tax when I have one million…
I will give some of it to my parents. Will spend on shopping …outfits, furniture,… metals like gold (ornaments) whose price will appreciate over time. Throw party to my friends.
Will save it in bank which I would spend in future for travel, learning/doing something exciting, ..Living peacefully settled.
Money: some become proud with its possession others grow humble. It can change lives if the problem is because of its scarcity, covers risks, makes us relaxed … however it cannot buy everything.
A Million Dollars, WOW.
I’ll use 10% for charity, 10% for personal happiness, 10% for self development, 10% or less for daily needs, and allocate the rest of it for investment and whatsoever that can grow the amount.
Charity will cover:
– build a temple
– buy food for homeless people
– random visit a low class hospital, and donate some amount to someone who badly need it.
– donate some amount to relatives that need to pay a school fee for their child.
Personal Happiness:
– Buy a dream house
– Buy a dream car
– Go on a Cruise crossing the Atlantic
(just writing it down, make me feels like I already had the 1 Million Dollars, this is great)
Sort my brother out with somewhere to live…make sure Mum n Dad have every healthcare possible.Puts some away for myself so I can be comfortable past seventy.The rest I would build and pay off a Huf Haus or similar construction.
This peace of mind would allow me to complete my Anti Smoking film and Anti Plastic Bottle Campaign with no need to worry about a commercial outcome. Chunk down to 200k x 5…easy…happy days !
It’s difficult to choose what to do with a million dollars! I think about it every week when the lottery is on TV (and by the way, I may buy a ticket once or twice a year, so what are the chances, right).
I consider myself a level-headed person, so the first thing I’d do is to buy a house, a big one with a pool and a nice garden, actually, nothing so fancy as many may think, not even in the poshiest upper-class neighbourhood where the “beautiful people” live: I want to live in a place where I like the people, too. And here goes probably 15% of the money, maybe less. Oh, and a very big walk-in closet.
And maybe a vacation home, something simple, in one of my country’s beautiful seaside resorts.
Then I’d set up accounts for my kids, enough money for them to live comfortably but not lavishly while they finish their studies, and some more for setting up their businesses, or whatever they choose to do for a living. Here goes another 10-15%, maybe more.
I’d buy a car for my husband, I don’t drive and, for the moment, not interested in learning, so, either I have my own car with private chauffer, or just move by taxi, or whatever. The chauffer part was a joke!
I’d start a business, I’m not sure what, I’ve always been interested in Real Estate and renovating houses, so I might go for that. Easily, 200k goes there. This is a way of fulfilling two objectives: generating a passive income, and generating jobs while providing a valuable service.
Of course, I’d buy the best equipment and furniture for my house, this is where I’d splash a little more. And hiring someone to help out with the cleaning and all that! Allright, and buying clothes, books, and spa treatments (a girl needs some pampering!)
Then comes the treats: firstly, the romantic honeymoon we both deserve, nothing fancy again: I’ve always dreamt of visiting Iguazú Waterfalls, and a really nice (i.e. luxurious) holiday is not that expensive.
Secondy, a loooong family holiday, but this time, I’d love a trip all around the world (and go shopping all around the world)!!
Oh, and talking about traveling, a summer holiday on an RV so we can travel all around my country.
All in all, I’d do a LOT of travelling.
And, finally, it’s time to give back: the first thing I’d do is to give 100k as a donation for a local charity that helps young entrepreneurs, just as they helped me out a few years ago. That would be enough to give loans for 30 new businesses and the organization costs for the next 3 years or so.
And another 100k for AIDS research or reaching out to children in need, but not just giving money (that wouldn’t make sense) but asking something in exchange, so probably a sort of scholarship program or something of the sort.
And, if everything goes well (and the adding up is correct) I wouldn’t need to work for a living so I’d work for free, doing what I do now, which is what I love!
I would sign myself in to a fitness/nutrition program that would assist me in the last chunk of weight I need to get rid of, complete with a personal trainer to guide me in properly strengthening my body. As I was getting closer to my goal weight, I would consult with the appropriate surgeons to see if my challenged knees needed further assistance,and what other surgeries would be possible to assist me in feeling comfortable in my body after dropping such a massive amount of weight. I would go forward with whatever would complete my very dedicated lifelong journey of weight challenges,my very own body makeover story, getting whatever help I needed to feel as good about myself as possible. This would include continuing to being active, treating myself on all levels of my being, and feeling free at long last to travel to places with my fit and happy body! With increasing confidence, I would also be able to be helpful to others I crossed paths with out in the world. I would feel free to roam about the planet attending a poetry slam, or a concert, a play,etc.,restaurants, or gatherings of all kinds that celebrate life. Perhaps I could be the poet offering to read her poems at the poetry slam!
I would also pay off any and all debts or any indebtedness that I feel,feeling free to help out others that are in a jam. I would make improvements to my existing places of residence, and develop with my friend land that we have together. Develop in the sense of low impact living, sustainable gardening, and little casitas for ecotourism. I would establish my own little home somewhere in nature where I truly resonated. I would have a vehicle that would be very dependable and practical.
I would also print/publish books. Perhaps a book could be my weight loss success story/what I have learned on the way to my goal, each of those stories along the way are a teaching in themselves… Perhaps a book could be a book of nature-inspired pieces, poetry, expressing those messages. I also like to make little primitive drawings that arise from being involved in the experience of living and feeling. Those drawings could possibly be included in any book I authored. Maybe even photographs I have taken would also have a place.
I would also make investments in gold and silver to keep growing the wealth. There are people, places and things that happen in life that may be need assistance, and I would like to assist when I am called to do that. I would also like to have the security of knowing that there are resources for me when I need them, so I can be independent and make my own decisions.
B.C.
First I would pay off students loans. Duh. Erase all debt is a must. Then I would probably pay off as much of my family’s debt (sisters and cousin’s schooling) and remodel the house I am living in. I like it, so I probably wouldn’t move unless my mom and dad said that with the amount of $ it’d take to remodel they would rather move to a different location I might do that. Or let them leave and keep the house for myself. Mwuahahaha.
Once the house has been updated, I would donate to my university’s Communication Degree program. I would set up at least two scholarships and encourage more women in that program to succeed.
Immediately (in conjunction with the house money being spent) I would begin paperwork to adopt, from India or Peru if possible. I am not married, so this will take forever. I would find out how much money the cost it and set that aside.
I would invest into a few quality items for myself like a travel backpack, good clothes (shoes included) and film equipment. Then I would buy a ticket to the country I am adopting from and live there until the adoption goes through. Then I would move back to the two-story house I had remodeled.
I plan on living as minimally as I can (I’ve started the process!) and so whatever I do not put in the bank for my future children will go to charities. Or for me to give away as people need it where I am living. I wouldn’t stop working in some form so I’m not worried about day-to-day living. :)
If I had 1 million dollars:
1.I would pay off any debts we have.
2.Some for retirement
3.Set money aside for each of our children’s college education.
4.I would give some money to my parents and my in laws.
5.Some would be invested, like real estate
6.Give to charity
If I had 1 million dollars I would do three things. I would invest, give, and spend.
I would invest part of it in safe conservative investments (not stocks) in order to turn part of that money into a continuing income stream. I would give a portion of the money to charities that I find myself attracted to and might even use it to fulfill my desire to fully fund a well to provide clean water for a community. With this amount of money, I’d easily be able to fund it and fly myself out there to help build it.
I would also use part of the money to spend and invest in myself. The money would also give me the freedom and time to go after a number of different pursuits which would help me to find what my passion is through trial and experience. I’d also probably move into a nicer apartment, but something that would still be within my means.
I would also check out a few kickstarter campaigns and invest in the top pledge amounts to make some entrepenurs dreams come true.
Yeeeeesssss I love these types of questions:) Well considering most of the people who win the lottery go bankrupt within the first 5 years or commit suicide I would say that I’m not too inclined to keep the money. Of course I must say it would be a big relief to put away $100,000 or so for emergency life/death money. And for the rest, I’d probably end up traveling the world in search of your normal everyday honest man who just needs a helping hand to accomplish a simple dream. My goal would be to try and focus on community improvement and development through other peoples dreams. Supporting local rec. centers, helping local musicians get started, funding local community events and festivals, helping people to experience and understand the joy of nature and the outdoors by supporting local outfitters and guiding operations, hosting comedian shows, opening free music/dance halls with cheap lessons. My dream is basically to sing, dance, laugh and play as much and as long as I can and help other people to see the same joy that I see in Life:)
If I had a million dollars I would start off by taking care of my student loans and car payments, then start taking care of the debt my parents have on their house. I would quit my current job and spend a year traveling around the world. Not just the famous cities, but all the hole-in-the-wall places that many tourists miss. I would move out, get a nice place and furnish it the way I want. I would also treat my parents to a well-deserved vacation and give my brother money to pay for their university education. A portion would be donated to different causes I care about and the rest would be put in the bank or invested. I don’t think I would get anything flashy. I just want to be able to get rid of my debt and make sure my family is comfortable, and gets to have fun.
1.First of all I would give 1/10th of it as God’s Tithe.
2. I would pay up all my loans and quit my job to be able to spend more time with my kids, tending to them, my home, garden and spending more time on reading, sketching and painting.
3. I shall next sign up for a course on Baking and Fine Arts.
4. I would then start something in confectionaries or Interior Desiging on my own.
5. Help my near and dear ones on their urgent fianncial needs.
6. Support the cause of atleast one organization working with orphans and one working one saving our Earth and Environment.
7. I would take a world tour with my husband and kids.
I know I post this a day late, but the power was cut off and I had no electricity the entire evening. ;-)
If I had a million dollars, first of all I would take a long vacation to some place warm, sunny and inspiring. Only to gather energy and inspiration to start up my own webshop/shop. This shop should be a combination of a seamstress and clothing/homedecoration shop, with items I made myself.
Along with this shop, I would be a mother with time both for the shop and my children.
First I would pay off any debts that I had and then sit on the money for at least 6 months, let it make interest while I think about what to do with it. I would put it in an account that is not easily accessible. After the 6 months, I would probably end up buying a property that would makes great income for me so in effect it grows and grows and provides me with an income for life.
Pay off my debts, keep working and travel more. LOTS more.
I have written a lot, longhand, and tried to distill my thoughts. The long and short of it: Put on your own oxygen mask first! Taking care of immediate needs of my core family, planning for the future (though with this shaky economy, it is hard to know how/where to invest!), and caring for the less fortunate come to mind.
Additionally, I see the value in continuing to work — to bring in money, and to donate my time to good causes. Travel, especially with my kids, to learn about other cultures and to provide service to others would be a great thing to do. Using the funds to aid my kids in becoming more alive/involved/passionate and capable people would mean a lot to me and to the world.
Gaining more control over my time, my health, and having fewer financial worries would be a great result — though money is not the only answer, as we have seen from these great responses. Being more involved in the communities of the world is something I can do right now, with money worries and all.
If I received $1,000,000 the first thing I would do is to plan and actualize a long term trip (2 years+) around the world. Why would I do this? Because I am a “Life Long Learner” and feel that to learn it is important to expose myself to many different points of view. Otherwise we can become prisoners of our beliefs. Point of view can be worth 100 IQ points. What better way to do this than by traveling. Moreover, by traveling we put ourselves in a position to break up our patterns and habits that reduce us to beings with little aliveness. I would fly as little as possible because you only meet the person sitting next to you and would take trains whenever I could. I would not worry so much about getting to places because in traveling as in life the journey and the process is more important to me than the destination or goal. That said, I would not hesitate to spend as much time as I wanted in places that I thought were great and not have a sense of urgency to get on to the next place. I trade stock options and would continue to do this since these days it can be done anywhere with available internet access. This way I would increase the capital over time and use the profits to live on and to improve the lives of the many, many people in the world who are not so fortunate. I also mentor individuals and I am sure that many opportunities to do this would arise on my trip.
WOW. :) Firstly I would be excited.
Living in South Africa I’ll convert the dollars into South African rands. The current exchange rate is 1$= R7.97.
Therefore, if i had R8 million i’d:
1. Invest R2 million in shares, bonds, unit trusts ect
2. Buy a R3 million house in Hyde Park ( for those who haven’t been to South Africa, we do have a suburb named Hyde Park)
3. Buy a Range Rover ( green) and a BMW M3 (white)
4. Get the tattoo I’ve always wanted
5. Donate R300 000 to charity
6. Spend R500 000 on clothing and watches( I have an obsession)
7. Get some interesting gadgets
8. Finally get some exotic pets ( I’m a big animal lover)
If i had a million dollars i would pay off all my student debt. Purchase a new, reliable car. Buy a home for my 6 year old to grow up in. I would put money aside for my daughters education and future needs/wants. And i would invest money into a non-profit that is near and dear to my heart.
Go to work the following day.
I’m posting here now because it seems yesterday, my comment didn’t go through as I typed it in the wrong place…
With a million dollar, I would repay my mortgage and keep on renting my first house, buy a home in the town where I want to live now, help out friends in debt and set them a bit ahead of the game. And I would invest the half million left in a conservative account and live of my job as usual. The rent of my first house, the money saved from not paying rent anymore and the revenue from my savings would be reinvested into my conservative savings account to accrue. I would use this account if I had health issues, and if not, I’d withdraw a little bit regularly for a good time. And I would find peace knowing my financial future is secured. I like my job and my life currently, so I wouldn’t change that!
If we are talking about a service to others…I guess I would help others find answers or resources.
If we are talking about recreation, it would be playing video games, going to concerts & performances, going to movies, going to historical landmarks & theme parks…anything uplifting & mellow that I could find to get into.
I would first pay all my bills which would take about 5%. Then I would use 45% for self development courses, support my sons and their families and develop my hobbies. My hobbies include gourmet cooking and developing healthy food recipes. I would focus on the healthy food recipes. Many people I know including my own relatives have special needs for their nutrition. Most of the foods they are required to eat are bland and foreign to them. I would develop recipes that they can identify with yet attain the nutritional requirements for their particular nutritional challenge. For example I am lactose intolerant and yet I crave milk. I have yet to have a milk substitute that I like. I would develop something that gives me the milky satisfaction without having taking milk! This may be a way to jump start into my own business -little intimate dinner (Kozy Kitchen)! At 50, I have about 20 more years in employment. During my retirement I would love to spend my time in a kitchen creating customized dishes for my clientele. The 50% would go towards building a community center with partners to provide social amenities at a very subsidized cost for my community. Currently, many young people do have safe places to hang out and do youthful sports. Therefore the million will be an investment towards my social responsibility and my personal retirement dream. Yes! It would be fun to having a million dollars!
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